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Concept: Grazed [Laminaria saccharina] with [Echinus], brittlestars and coralline crusts on sheltered infralittoral rock in the eunishabitats vocabulary

Concept URI http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/eunishabitats/A3.3134
Preferred label Grazed [Laminaria saccharina] with [Echinus], brittlestars and coralline crusts on sheltered infralittoral rock
Definition Coralline encrusted rock with scattered tufts of red seaweed and a relatively high abundance of grazing echinoderms which typically include the urchin [Echinus esculentus] and/or the brittlestars [Ophiothrix fragilis] or [Ophiocomina nigra]. The rock often looks bare, with few conspicuous species present although [Laminaria saccharina] may occur it is generally in low abundance (Rare or Occasional). The red seaweeds, reduced to small tufts through grazing, include [Phycodrys rubens], [Delesseria sanguinea] and [Brongniartella byssoides] and although these seaweeds also occur in Lsac.Pk they are far less frequent in this biotope. Brown seaweeds, such as [Desmarestia viridis], [Chorda filum] and [Cutleria multifida], may be present. Grazing molluscs, such as [Gibbula cineraria] and can be common. Under-boulder habitats can harbour the crabs Necora puber and [Pagurus bernhardus], terebellid polychaetes and the polychaete [Pomatoceros] spp. with ascidians [Ascidia mentula]. and [Clavelina lepadiformis] on the open rock along with the echinoderm [Asterias rubens] and the hydroids [Kirchenpauria pinnata] and [Obelia dichotoma]. Situation: This biotope generally occurs on rock below a dense kelp forest of [L. saccharina] (Lsac.Ft) or mixed kelp (LhypLsac.Ft). Temporal variation: If the grazing pressure is reduced (i.e. a decrease in the number of grazing echinoderms present) a richer kelp community may develop (Lsac.Pk or LhypLsac.Pk).
Notation A3.3134
Status Valid
Status Modified 2014-01-31
Accepted Date 2014-01-31
Not Accepted Date
Has broader
Has exact match